Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?
I was 11 years old, Grade 5, when I came across Napoleon Hill’s famous quote, “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” Back then, each class could decorate their own classroom however they want. Grade 6 students decided to decorate their wall with quotations. One time, we had a meeting with our teacher, and we had to use their room, which is when I first learned about this quote.
It really stuck with me so strongly. It felt like an affirmation as a daydreamer. It really made me believe that I can make anything happen as long as my mind pictures it. I really believed that my future was so bright ahead with all the things I thought about.
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” -Napoleon Hill
I believed this to be true even through my entire college years. It really fanned the flames of my heart that flickered at times. I was so excited for what was ahead of me. I had dreams so big that now even I think it’s ridiculous. My mind was running wild with all the plans and possibilities I could have for when I graduated.
Little did I know how naive that was. Have I misunderstood its meaning? Where did I get things wrong? I guess I underestimated the uncertainty of life. It was so easy to believe anything was possible, but only in theory. Maybe I forgot to factor in life’s obstacles, trauma, talent, and time. I really thought there was no such thing as limitation.
Until I graduated from college… You silly, silly wide-eyed country bumpkin. You really thought life would be that easy. You really thought you’d get there. If I could time-travel to the past, I’d be sure to knock some sense into the younger me.
It took me 8 months to land my very first job, which I didn’t even like. I had to go off track to feed my empty stomach. That began my ever-changing path. Each step I took, though unexpected and unsteady, was built from the last. I am thankful for that. However, I cannot forget how life gave me a reality check and made me realize that not everything my mind can conceive will be achieved. I wish I had known this sooner. I would have saved myself from deeper heartaches and moved forward more quickly.
But what I have learned is this. Even after all my broken dreams, my mind will never stop getting creative. But at least I can now manage my expectations better, I guess.